The Holetown Festival takes place in Holetown, Barbados, and celebrates the arrival of Holetown’s first settlers on Feb. 17, 1627. The week-long celebration occurs every year in mid-February and includes activities that showcase the culture and traditions of Barbados. Events include folk singing and dancing, sports and games, street parades, markets and food stalls offering traditional Barbadian cuisine.

Barbados’ equestrian season is popular for good reason – many incredible horse races on the island stand out beyond any other Caribbean destination. The Sandy Lane Gold Coast Race is especially prestigious. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, it is incredibly fun to watch. Since the race’s inception in 1982, international athletes have taken part. The Gold Cup is one of the equestrian world’s most sought-after awards.

The most popular festival of Barbados, this months-long celebration honours the 200-year-old tradition of the end of the sugar cane season with an exciting extravaganza of live music and traditional dancing. The festival celebrates all that is Bajan with dusk-‘til-dawn parties, arts and crafts markets and culinary-driven street fairs. The island’s most-colourful and spirited celebrations occur during the final week. Grand Kadooment Day, the festival’s final day, sees masquerade bands make their way to Spring Garden Highway as revelers dressed in decorated costumes dance behind music trucks and moving bars.

Barbados is often referred to as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. The Barbados Food and Rum Festival has given birth to a series of events – culinary and beverage experiences designed to tantalize the taste buds. It offers a variety of other colourful and flavourful adventures to stimulate the senses. Celebrated chefs who have participated in past Food and Rum events include Chef Chris De La Rosa from Canada, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Chef Tom Aikens from London, and Barbados’ own Chef Damian Leach.